RAIN, One The People Who Shape Our World according to TIME magazine

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by nmskalmn

They probably wanted to represent an Asian pop figure, and so they chose the one who is trying appeal to the US market. Not really surprising at all because the United States media is so US-centered to the exclusion of the rest of the globe. They wouldn't mention Ayumi Hamasaki, for example, because she doesn't care one bit about making it in America.

It's nice to have someone from the Kpop world there at least. I'm not complaining.

My main complaint with the article is saying how innaccurate it is in saying he is big in Japan because he is not at all. This is coming from TIME magazine, you'd think they would try to be more accurate.

[andre2907]

The thing is, the fact he needed dramas to increase he's popularity doesn't make him less popular. He's more popular than BoA ever was around Asia. He's album was the best-selling album of the year in China, in Korea, in Malaysia, in Singapore and lots and lots of other asian countries while BoA sells good in a few asian countries. His concert in stadiums in Asia were ALL sold-out. He's much much more popular than BoA ever was.

Plus, he IS big in Japan. He was the first asian (non-japanese) artist to be invited to permorm of MTV Japan awards and he sold-out two concerts at Tokyo International Forum, one in Budokan and one in Osaka-Jo Hall with tickets for 10,000 yen (very expensive, Ayu tickets are 7,000), plus, he has a big fanbase and he's dramas are very popular around there.

Maybe he isn't talented or changed the world, but he is the MOST influentional entertainer in Asia and that's the point of the article.

Oh, btw, BoA isn't the most popular korean entertainer in Japan. Bae-Yong something, the male lead of Winter Sonata, is and he's the one the media says was the one who helped Japan-Korea relationship.. plus, lots of other koreans, mainly actress and actors are more popular than her. And I'm sure lots of asians artists sold-out shows in US but I doubt many of them had 10,000 people at their concert.

[ayu_fan929]

Originally Posted by *Petit*

However, there's no sign of better relations between the countries, diden't korea almost declare war the other week?

True. I guess she tried to relieve the tension.

Originally Posted by andre2907

Plus, he IS big in Japan. He was the first asian (non-japanese) artist to be invited to permorm of MTV Japan awards and he sold-out two concerts at Tokyo International Forum, one in Budokan and one in Osaka-Jo Hall with tickets for 10,000 yen (very expensive, Ayu tickets are 7,000), plus, he has a big fanbase and he's dramas are very popular around there.

Oh, btw, BoA isn't the most popular korean entertainer in Japan. Bae-Yong something, the male lead of Winter Sonata, is and he's the one the media says was the one who helped Japan-Korea relationship.. plus, lots of other koreans, mainly actress and actors are more popular than her. And I'm sure lots of asians artists sold-out shows in US but I doubt many of them had 10,000 people at their concert.

The only hyped up drama that Rain starred in was only Full House. That's the only truly successful drama he had so far. Take a look at his last drama, (the one about boxing), the ratings were nowhere near what Full House achieved in Korea and it hasn't been hyped about like Full House. I don't think he's THAT big in Japan. I'm pretty sure he had concerts in Japan before his single release, wouldn't you think he would have done at least decent in his sales? I agree that Bae Yong Jun is popular though, but then again, he's mainly popular for Winter Sonata and not much else.
And Andy Lau has had concerts at the SkyDome (in Canada) that easily beat out Rain's MSG 2 concerts.

Originally Posted by andre2907

He's more popular than BoA ever was around Asia. He's album was the best-selling album of the year in China, in Korea, in Malaysia, in Singapore and lots and lots of other asian countries while BoA sells good in a few asian countries. His concert in stadiums in Asia were ALL sold-out. He's much much more popular than BoA ever was.

I'm 100% positive that his album wasn't the best selling album of the year in Taiwan/China/Korea. That year, BoA's album beat his in Korea. As for Tawian/China, I'm pretty sure Jay Chou beat his album's sales. His concerts are not in stadiums. They are comparable to Tokyo International Forum (maximum to about Japan arena size). And also, I don't think he's THAT much popular than BoA. I think he maybe as popular as she is, but not "much more".

Originally Posted by andre2907

The thing is, the fact he needed dramas to increase he's popularity doesn't make him less popular.

Well without Full House, he wouldn't have achieved anywhere near the popularity he has now. BoA didn't need to have dramas to increase her popularity and still has as much popularity as Rain did with both his drama and music combined. That's why I think BoA is more influential that way.

[andre2907]

Originally Posted by ayu_fan929

True. I guess she tried to relieve the tension.


The only hyped up drama that Rain starred in was only Full House. That's the only truly successful drama he had so far. Take a look at his last drama, (the one about boxing), the ratings were nowhere near what Full House achieved in Korea and it hasn't been hyped about like Full House. I don't think he's THAT big in Japan. I'm pretty sure he had concerts in Japan before his single release, wouldn't you think he would have done at least decent in his sales? I agree that Bae Yong Jun is popular though, but then again, he's mainly popular for Winter Sonata and not much else.

Maybe most of his dramas aren't that popular in Korea but they sell to overseas market thanks to him and that's almost as important.

Saying Bae Yong Jun is popular because of Winter Sonata is the same of saying BoA is popular because of her music. Well, duh, he's an actor, of course he's popular because of his work. His movies are also VERY popular in Japan and he is THE biggest korean superstar in Japan, much bigger than BoA.

And there are others korean bigger than BoA in Japan like Cho Ji Woo...

I'm 100% positive that his album wasn't the best selling album of the year in Taiwan/China/Korea. That year, BoA's album beat his in Korea. As for Tawian/China, I'm pretty sure Jay Chou beat his album's sales. His concerts are not in stadiums. They are comparable to Tokyo International Forum (maximum to about Japan arena size). And also, I don't think he's THAT much popular than BoA. I think he maybe as popular as she is, but not "much more".

I'm sure he's much more popular than she is. His latest album outsold Boa's album in Korea and in China (I'm not sure about Taiwan but much probably). Please, Girls on Top sold 117k in Korea and his latest album sold over 400k. Plus, he is worth much more.

Well without Full House, he wouldn't have achieved anywhere near the popularity he has now. BoA didn't need to have dramas to increase her popularity and still has as much popularity as Rain did with both his drama and music combined. That's why I think BoA is more influential that way.

I don't agree with most of that.

[*Petit*]

Try to remember that this isen't a popularity contest, it about SHAPING the world. Changing something. If the only thing an artist did was to help other artists break into a new market, I don't really know if that's major "shaping" of the world.

[andre2907]

Originally Posted by *Petit*

Try to remember that this isen't a popularity contest, it about SHAPING the world. Changing something. If the only thing an artist did was to help other artists break into a new market, I don't really know if that's major "shaping" of the world.

No, it IS a popularity contest, half of the people in there didn't REALLY changed the world, so...

Originally Posted by ayufan292

Firstly, Rain didn't even release a Korean album in 2005, so there's no use in comparing a 2004 album (It's Raining) with a 2005 album (Girls on Top). Secondly, he didn't sell 400k, his album sold aorund 180-190kish. Only SG Wannabe sold more than 400k in 2005. Thirdly, since It's Raining is a 2004 album, I'll compare it with BoA's 2004 album, My Name which sold more than 200k. That means BoA outsold Rain in Korea.
"Plus, He's worth much more"?? In CMs? Can you please clarify?

~

The album was for 2004 but it was on the 2005 list. Boa's MY NAME... was also on the list. I have it somewhere in my computer, I'll try to find it...

Yes, in CMs and such. Plus, he does the biggest tours in Asia.

Oh, and about being the best-selling album in China. Yes, I can't be sure about that because there isn't an official list for China but there was an article stating his album was the best-selling. I'll also try to find it. I'm pretty sure it outsold BoA's album, but I don't have anything that state that, so..

[ayu_fan929]

Originally Posted by andre2907

Oh, and about being the best-selling album in China. Yes, I can't be sure about that because there isn't an official list for China but there was an article stating his album was the best-selling. I'll also try to find it. I'm pretty sure it outsold BoA's album, but I don't have anything that state that, so..

I think the album was more like best-seller, and not best-selling as I did read the newspapers that year as Jay Chou sold more than 3 million of his 2004 album and Stef Sun sold at least 1 million for hers.

Just going back to this for a bit:

Originally Posted by andre2907

Saying Bae Yong Jun is popular because of Winter Sonata is the same of saying BoA is popular because of her music..

Not really. An equivalent to your statement would be "Ayu is popular because of her song 'M'" or "BoA is popular because of her song 'VALENTI'". Music is a profession, while Winter Sonata is just a part of it.

[ayu_fan929]

Originally Posted by andre2907

Maybe most of his dramas aren't that popular in Korea but they sell to overseas market thanks to him and that's almost as important.

No, it was only Full House. As I said, his last drama had pratically 0 news outside of Asia.

Originally Posted by andre2907

Saying Bae Yong Jun is popular because of Winter Sonata is the same of saying BoA is popular because of her music. Well, duh, he's an actor, of course he's popular because of his work. His movies are also VERY popular in Japan and he is THE biggest korean superstar in Japan, much bigger than BoA.

And there are others korean bigger than BoA in Japan like Cho Ji Woo...

After thinking about it, I'll agree with you here. But I don't think he's MUCH bigger. I think they're just bigger.

Originally Posted by andre2907

I'm sure he's much more popular than she is. His latest album outsold Boa's album in Korea and in China.

I didn't say BoA's album outsold Rain's in China. I just said that Rain's album wasn't the best selling album in China, which you stated.

Originally Posted by andre2907

He's album was the best-selling album of the year in China, in Korea, in Malaysia, in Singapore and lots and lots of other asian countries while BoA sells good in a few asian countries

Originally Posted by andre2907

Please, Girls on Top sold 117k in Korea and his latest album sold over 400k. Plus, he is worth much more.

Firstly, Rain didn't even release a Korean album in 2005, so there's no use in comparing a 2004 album (It's Raining) with a 2005 album (Girls on Top). Secondly, he didn't sell 400k, his album sold aorund 180-190kish. Only SG Wannabe sold more than 400k in 2005. Thirdly, since It's Raining is a 2004 album, I'll compare it with BoA's 2004 album, My Name which sold more than 200k. That means BoA outsold Rain in Korea.
"Plus, He's worth much more"?? In CMs? Can you please clarify?

Originally Posted by andre2907

I don't agree with most of that.

Which part? I think there were 2 different ideas there.